You Play a Vital Role with Forward Theater Company

Forward Theater Company was founded to fill a void in Madison – to provide inspiring and entertaining theater experiences to our audiences, establish an artistic home for area actors, directors, designers, and playwrights, and expand the cultural and economic life of southern Wisconsin. To fulfill this mission, Forward Theater produces full seasons of plays in Overture Center using an array of local and regional talent, encourages new work by hosting play readings and workshops, and engages with the community through educational outreach programs, public lectures, post-show talkbacks, theater classes, and performances at philanthropic events.

Local.

In 2009 a group of artists met around a kitchen table to imagine a new professional theater company in Madison. All those gathered agreed that this organization would mount productions that were exciting and meaningful to the audiences of southern Wisconsin. In order to be attuned to the needs of the community, FTC pledged to maintain an active, open, and ongoing dialogue with its supporters, and to employ artists who had chosen to make their homes in the area. Forward Theater relates to Madison because we are part of this amazing community.

Professional.

Forward employs roughly 100 theater artists per year – both union and non-union – contributing significantly to the livelihoods of the creative class in Madison and beyond. Actors, directors, and designers whose work has graced the best stages in the Midwest are “coming home” to perform with Forward. Everyone from the props person, to the audience services staff, to the lead actors in each show has professional expertise and experience in their craft, and is paid for their work. Our professionalism extends beyond the stage and into the office, where we combine fiscal responsibility with sound management and industry best practices.

Exceptional.

Forward Theater has made a name for itself by presenting outstanding productions of extraordinary plays. In our first three seasons, FTC’s offerings have been met with tremendous applause from audiences, and accolades from critics. Comments include:

“It’s a thrill to see the beginnings of an organization that has admirable artistic ambitions and the talent and passion to make those ambitions happen, and I’m confident that Forward Theater Company will become something the community can take pride in.”
                                                               –  Christian Neuhaus, Dane 101

“Dedicated to professional theater and with an intriguing lineup of edgy plays in its season, Forward promises to live up to its home state’s namesake motto.”
                                                              –  Bruce Bradley, Isthmus

Your Role in FTC’s Success

An actor in Forward Theater’s critically acclaimed production of The Farnsworth Invention recently wrote about the role of the audience in our endeavor.

He said; “Theater cannot exist in a vacuum. It should not exist in a vacuum. And that’s why the final step in the play-making process has to be flinging open the doors and inviting an audience to share in what has been created. . .We cannot do this play without you ‑ you are the final ingredient ‑ you are the community we wish to serve.”
                                                             – Nicholas Harazin, (Philo T. Farnsworth)

Just as we look forward to seeing you in the audience to make our art complete, your gift plays an important role in the success of Forward Theater Company. Ticket revenue covers only a fraction of the full cost of presenting live theater. Annual fund donors bridge that gap. Your tax deductible contribution will allow Forward Theater Company to grow, adding to the cultural fabric of our community and providing exceptional performances to audiences throughout southern Wisconsin.

2013-2014 Donor Benefits

ANNUAL FUND
Annual Fund supporters provide fundamental support to Forward Theater with yearly gifts of up to $499.

 

Friends ($25 - $99)

• Recognition in the performance programs for the 2013-2014 season
  
  

Patrons ($100-$249)

The above, plus...

• Priority processing of subscription orders and seating change requests
• An invitation to an exclusive, behind-the-scenes event, including a play rehearsal and viewing our designer’s preliminary costume, set, and lighting designs for an upcoming production

Benefactors ($250-$499)

All of the above, plus... 

• An invitation to Forward Theater’s annual season announcement party

 

FORWARD LEADERS
Forward Leaders show a strong personal commitment to Forward Theater’s mission by making annual gifts of $500 or more.

 

$500-$999
All of the Annual Fund donor benefits, plus...

• Recognition on the FTC lobby donor wall during the 2013-2014 season according to giving level 
• A seat at an intimate “director’s chat” evening with Jennifer Uphoff Gray, previewing an upcoming Forward Theater show
• A season poster

 

$1,000-$2,499
All of the above, plus...

• Recognition on the FTC lobby donor display according to giving level
• Personalized benefits, such as scripts signed by members of the cast, or a package of Forward Theater merchandise

 

$2,500-$4,999
All of the above, plus...

• Recognition on the FTC lobby donor display according to giving level 
• Personalized benefits, such as having Forward actors perform monologues at your dinner party or other event

 

$5,000+
All of the above, plus...

• Recognition on the FTC lobby donor display according to giving level 
• Personalized benefits, such as sponsoring a performer in one of Forward’s mainstage productions and meeting that actor for coffee, or a personal backstage tour

 

To contribute, you may either click on the “donate now” button at the top of this page or mail your check to Forward Theater at P.O. Box 14574, Madison, WI 53708.

For any questions regarding donor benefits or your acknowledgement, please contact Director of Advancement Julia Nicholas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 234-5001. 

 

 

Colleen Burns Memorial Fund

Unfortunately, one of our original collaborators is no longer with us – the inimitable Colleen Burns. A professional actress for more than 30 years, Colleen first graced Madison stages at the Rep in 1974. Over the decades she performed in many plays and musicals there, including Nunsense, Baby, Consumer Affairs (which she co-authored with longtime musical partner Jack Forbes Wilson) the record breaking A...My Name is Alice. Colleen not only helped create Forward Theater Company in 2009, she played the lead in our first production, the radio play All About Eve. In the following season, she directed and performed in another radio drama, The 39 Steps.

Colleen’s enormous talent, her professionalism, her laughter, and her dedication to her art will be the legacy that lives on in all our hearts.

FTC has created a special fund to underwrite the salary for one actress per season as a tribute to Colleen, who brought so much joy to Madison audiences. Through this endowment, we look forward to many more creative collaborations in the years to come. For more information, or to make a contribution, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Award Recipients

2011-2012 Sarah Day, for her role in A Thousand Words

2012-2013 Celia A. Klehr, for her role in Good People

Become a Friends of Forward Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in supporting Forward Theater Company with your time and talents.  Volunteers help Forward Theater by staffing events, papering the town with posters and postcards, making food for our hungry cast and production staff, helping with mailings, and other office support.  

Benefits of Being a Volunteer

Opportunity to get to know, and build relationships with, others who have similar interests

Opportunity to attend rehearsals and other Friends events 

Acknowledgement in FTC’s performance program book

 

Becoming a Friends of Forward Volunteer

For a volunteer application, contact Celia Klehr by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 608-234-5001 #1 for audience services.  Then return it by mail or email to:

   Mail:  Forward Theater, P.O. Box 14574, Madison, WI  53708
   Email: cklehr This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We'll maintain a list of volunteers and will send out regular emails with upcoming opportunities. We may also contact volunteers directly with specific tasks that align with their interests and skills.  We look forward to working with you soon!

 

Volunteer Opportunities

The following opportunities are critical extensions of the Forward Theater staff, and therefore are supported and guided by staff to advance professional theater in Madison.

Office Support 
Assist FTC staff with general office activities that may include mailings, event preparation, assembling informational packets, and writing thank you notes.

• Requirements: Detail oriented, ability to work independently
• Time commitment:  Flexible days, 2-3 hours at a time, as needed.  Opportunities sent via email throughout the year.

 

Poster and Postcard Distribution 
Gather with a group of volunteers on a Saturday rehearsal day and enjoy snacks while meeting and talking with the cast.  Then, you'll divide into small groups to distribute posters and postcards for the show, "Paint the town The Farnsworth Invention!"  Everyone will then meet back at the rehearsal space to watch part of the rehearsal in progress.  Distribution locations provided.

• Requirements: Interpersonal skills and comfort talking with retailers, organizational skills, follow through, and available transportation
• Time commitment:  One afternoon per mainstage production (3 times per year).  Seasonal.

 

Events Support
Assist staff with the planning, preparation, and/or implementation of special events.  Examples could include donor events, fundraising and promotional events, opening night receptions, etc.  Assistance may be needed in one or more of these areas: set-up, registration, greeting, tending food or beverage stations, and clean up, as well as food preparation and purchasing supplies.

• Requirements:  Out going, good interpersonal skills, food preparation where appropriate
• Time commitment: Flexible, periodic per event calendar.  Seasonal.

 

Hospitality
Assist in the preparation and delivery of food for special occasions, primarily for production staff at rehearsals, during tech week, or in between performances.  Also, help out-of-town guest artists feel at home by creating welcome packets, providing transportation, etc.

• Requirements:  Cook and transport/serve tasty food and generally help our guest artists enjoy their stay in Madison.  Ability to collaborate with others.  Positive interpersonal skills.
• Time commitment:  Flexible time for three mainstage productions.  Seasonal.

 

Other Opportunities
Housing Coordinator, Archivist/Historian and Data Entry – detailed descriptions are available for those who are interested